Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is an American actress, singer and fashion designer. Born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, she was first featured on the children's series Barney & Friends in the early 2000s. In 2007, Gomez came to prominence after being cast in the Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place. She portrayed the starring character Alex Russo until its conclusion in 2012. She formed her band Selena Gomez & the Scene after signing a recording contract with Hollywood Records in 2008; they released the studio albums Kiss & Tell (2009), A Year Without Rain (2010), and When the Sun Goes Down (2011) before beginning a hiatus in 2012.

Selena Gomez said she thinks she should have enjoyed her childhood for a couple of more years before making her foray into the entertainment industry. Gomez, who turned 23 this month, kicked off her career as a 7-year-old child in 2002.

“I was 7 when I got my first role,”

she told German magazine TV Movie (via Belfast Telegraph), about the television show “Barney & Friends.” Though it was a children’s show, Gomez remembers she was always in the company of adults and picked up their habits.

“I listened to them a lot and started to talk about things I probably wasn’t old enough for,”

the singer/actress said.

The Texas-born beauty, however, is proud of the way her career has taken shape and it has enabled her to do a lot of things other people at her age can’t. She is particularly proud of paying her mortgage and calls it the “most expensive thing” to which she ever has treated herself. She also loves spending time with her family in Texas when she can just be herself.

The “Good For You” singer is currently busy with her new album. She revealed the name of her album last week on Instagram. Titled “Revival,” the album is inspired by Gomez’ love life.

“I think there’s hints of [my relationship with Justin],”

she said on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest,” in June. She also considers her album “beautiful” and said the title reflects “the rebirth of Selena.”

Gomez revealed she worked “really hard” for the album and considers it a chance to “feel like an independent artist.” “So I guess that’s just the vision. It’s all about my journey. It’s not about anything specific,” Gomez added. Her recent song, “Good for You,” is the lead single from “Revival.” The album is set for Oct. 9 release.

Selena posted a video on Instagram that shows her writing the word “Revival” on a notepad in a studio. The songstress also wrote “10.9,” suggesting that the album will be released on Oct. 9. Her latest single from the album, “Good for You,” can be heard in the backdrop of the video.

Though Gomez has not revealed more details about the album, her voice coach Stevie Mackey said in a previous interview that the latest album will be based on her life experiences and will have mature content. “Selena’s voice sounds amazing, and her album will be much different than the Disney sound she’s done in the past,” Mackey told Hollywood Life. “This album will be more adult, more feminine and more about Selena’s experiences,” he said, adding that Gomez recorded “lot of new songs” for the album and “sounds beautiful.”

Selena talked about working on her album on Google Hangout back in May. She told her fans that she was in Mexico to record the album and is very happy with the outcome. “But just know that it’s the best that I’ve ever done, and you guys won’t be disappointed. I wish I could play it for you now, but I can’t.”